Alcohol | Easy Ways to “Just Say No”

Let’s say you’re at a party, others are drinking, and you simply don’t want to. Of course, the best thing to do would be simply to say, “Hey, I don’t want to drink. It’s not my thing.” But peer pressure and the desire to fit in are mighty powerful things. Maybe you’re not willing to just flat-out admit you don’t want to drink, and that’s okay. Here are a few ways to enjoy the party without drinking and without having others nag you about it.

Volunteer to be the designated driver. This gives you an easy, non-negotiable way out.

Carry a non-alcoholic drink in a cup. People will assume you’re drinking alcohol and won’t bother you. Even if you’re not drinking alcohol, you can lie and say you are.

If someone you don’t know is trying to persuade you to drink, make up a medical excuse like, “I’m diabetic and I can’t drink,” or, “I’m taking prescription medication that doesn’t mix well with alcohol.”

If someone keeps trying to force a drink on you, accept it, then go to the bathroom and dump it. You can also carry it around without drinking. If anyone asks if you need another drink, you can tell them “I’m good.”

Need another reason to “just say no?” How about good old-fashioned vanity? Depending on what you’re drinking, a night on the town could net you a full day’s worth of calories and then some.

• A ten-ounce margarita can have as many as 550 calories.
• A 12-ounce pina colada can have as many as 586 calories.
• A ten-ounce Long Island ice tea can have as many as 543 calories.

Decide to keep it light? Maybe a few Mike’s Hard Lemonades? Even one of those has more calories than a Krispy Kreme donut. Drink four beers and you’ll be consuming more calories than a Big Mac.